Helmets compulsory in city from January 1

ST CORRESPONDENT

Friday, 16 November 2018

“The alarming rise in fatal accidents happening on Pune roads is becoming a big worry. To prevent deaths on the roads, the Pune police will very strictly implement the rule about mandatory use of helmets while riding two-wheelers,” Venkatesham said.

Pune: From day one of 2019, the Pune police will launch a special and very strict drive to make two-wheeler riders wear helmets. City Police Commissioner Dr K Venkatesham made this announcement on Thursday.

“The alarming rise in fatal accidents happening on Pune roads is becoming a big worry. To prevent deaths on the roads, the Pune police will very strictly implement the rule about mandatory use of helmets while riding two-wheelers,” Venkatesham said.

“There have been three deaths of two-wheeler riders in the city in last three days because of non-use of helmets. This year itself, there have been more than 200 deaths of two-wheeler riders in Pune city. We must do all we can to prevent these deaths. The number of fatal accidents is increasing every year which is very alarming, so we have decided to start strict implementation of helmet rules,” Venkatesham added. He said that traffic police at every junction will stop two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets and make them pay fine. In case of a repeated offence, the vehicle may also be confiscated.

“The Pune police have taken up various initiatives to ensure that the force works with more efficiency and uses the latest technology. Many projects to sensitise the staff have been taken up,” said Additional Commissioner Pradeep Deshpande during this interaction.

‘Cop Hub’ mooted in city
Dr Venkatesham said an innovative idea of setting up a ‘Cop Hub’ at a central location in the city, where all services needed to citizens in distress can be provided, is being designed and will be implemented soon. Services such as legal counselling, psychiatric help and other assistance will be provided to citizens at this ‘Cop Hub’. It will either be located somewhere near the Sangam bridge or traffic headquarters of the city police.